Tokyo Summer Olympics – will history repeat?

This piece was published originally in March 2020, with the Olympics to be cancelled. We’re now on the precipice of the Games finally taking place, albeit behind closed doors. Glen! gave us the background on the Tokyo Olympics and previous cancellations of the Games, as significant now as then.

Almanac (Sports) History: John Curtin, PM…and footy lover.

John Curtin was not only a great Prime Minister of Australia during the most challenging of times, he also had a genuine love for sport especially football as Adam Muyt recounts.

Charlie and the Clothing Factory: Mr Clymo, Women’s Football and Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour

Kevin Densley reports on a record breaking historical football match played in Ballarat in 1918. The match between two women’s teams representing clothing firms from Ballarat and Melbourne attracted a crowd of 7000 in a fund raising football match for The Avenue of Honour in Ballarat.

Almanac (Pub) History: Some central Geelong Pubs and their changes

Kevin Densley continues his review of old, historical pubs in Geelong and the changes that have occurred to them over the years.

Almanac (Pub) History: Queen’s Head Hotel Geelong – Part 2

The old Queen’s Head Hotel in Geelong is generating a lot of interest. Roger Lowrey presents his memories of the pub.

Almanac (Pub) History: Walk Like An Historian – the Old Queen’s Head Hotel, Geelong

The Queen’s Head Hotel in Geelong has gone the way of many old pubs. Kevin Densley remembers a pub he once knew well.

Almanac (Footy) History: Geelong FC’s Original Home Venue – the Argyle Ground

Kevin Densley tells the story of the earliest playing venue of the Geelong Football Club, the Argyle Ground.

Almanac (Footy) History: Memories of Corio Oval, Geelong

Kevin Densley provides a background to Corio Oval in Geelong which provided a setting for footy and harness racing for decades. Its current day use will not thrill you.

Almanac Footy History: 1919 VFL Grand Final – Collingwood v Richmond

The 1919 VFL Grand Final between Collingwood and Richmond was played during the Spanish Flu pandemic. Glen! tells the story of that game.

” ‘Nana’ guides Spiders to footy ‘Nirvana’ ” by KB Hill

KB Hill brings us another reflection from almost a century ago with the tale of Ray ‘Nana’ Baker and the Corowa Spiders.

‘The Golden Era of the Redlegs……’ by KB Hill

KB Hill takes us back a century to recount the amazing success of the Rutherglen Redlegs in the Ovens and Murray League. (Includes some great old photos to enjoy. – Ed.)

Almanac Rugby League – Looking for an anniversary to mark in 2020?

Almanac debutant Tim Burke takes us back to the 1970 British rugby league Lions Tour of Australia and New Zealand to commemorate a special 50th anniversary. (Welcome aboard, Tim!)

‘Jovial Jack Fergie……’ by KB Hill

KB Hill tells us about Jack Ferguson, the Wangaratta Magpies champion full-back and, later, 3NE radio commentator extraordinaire. He was a pretty good shoe salesman, too!

The anxious look of a ruckman – the true story of ‘Bub’ Smith

For Anzac Day, Michael Sexton brings us the story of Stan ‘Bub’ Smith – West Torrens footballer, soldier, club administrator. ‘Smith had every reason to be sour on life and football, but he acted against the darkness and embraced the light the game could provide.’

‘The man behind the story of the Saints’ 1970 glory……’ by KB Hill

KB Hill loves promoting anything positive about country sport, especially in Victoria’s north-east. Today he puts in a good word for David Johnston’s recently released book, ‘1970 – the Year of the Saints’.

Spanish Flu, the COVID-19 pandemic and the AFL/VFL

Covid-19 and its effect on the AFL 2020 has Richard Davis wondering if or when the season may resume.

Zoom Event today (April 11) to discuss the 1989 Grand Final – Wilson, Yeates, Harms.

John Harms, Tony Wilson and Mark Yeates will talk all things 1989 Grand Final in a Zoom session hosted by the Geelong Regional Libraries Saturday April 11 at 2.30pm. All welcome to join in. You can sign up in this post. [Zoom is very easy]

‘The Nicolls of Whorouly……..’ by KB Hill

The Nicoll family and cricket in Whorouly are synonymous. KB Hill recounts the epic feats of the various members of this exceptionally talented family.

1981 Revisited – Round 1: ‘Just Like Starting Over’

Sam Steele begins his journey through the season that was 1981. Coming off a Tigers premiership, things looked good. Little did he know what the next three decades would bring.

1966 and all that: Prologue

Peter Clark begins a series on the season that was 1966. Here he sets puts the footy season into its historical and social contexts.